What makes Now We May Begin by Randy Crawford notable?

The album features the iconic track One Day I'll Fly Away, which has become a classic, covered by numerous artists across genres, showcasing its lasting impact. Critics praised the album for its sophisticated arrangements and Crawford's emotive vocals, contributing to her recognition as a leading figure in the R&B and jazz scenes during the era. Now We May Begin marks Randy Crawford's first album of the 1980s, following her successful earlier works like Street Life in 1976. At this point in her career, Crawford was transitioning into a more diverse sound, embracing elements of disco and pop while maintaining her jazz roots. This album helped solidify her reputation as a versatile artist capable of crossing genres.

How many songs are on Now We May Begin?

Now We May Begin has 8 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

Now We May Begin

Randy Crawford · 1980

37 min · 8 tracks · jazz

A lush blend of soul and jazz interwoven with rhythmic grooves that showcase Crawford's powerful vocal delivery.

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Top tracks — play these first

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One Day I'll Fly Away — This track stands out for its poignant lyrics about longing for freedom, combined with a soaring melody that showcases Crawford's vocal range beautifully.
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Tender Falls the Rain — The song's smooth blend of jazz and soul creates an intimate atmosphere, highlighting Crawford's ability to convey deep emotion through her performance.
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Last Night at Danceland — This upbeat track encapsulates the vibrant nightlife theme prevalent throughout the album, featuring infectious rhythms that invite listeners to dance along.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong vocal performances and sophisticated arrangements, though it follows familiar jazz-soul templates.

What we noticed

The album opens with a mid-tempo groove that sets a consistent tone, with the first three tracks maintaining a similar rhythmic feel.
Crawford's vocal delivery is prominent throughout, often layered with lush instrumental arrangements that include strings and horns.
The final track features a gradual deceleration in tempo, creating a reflective conclusion to the album.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.